Cancelliere excited ahead of pre-season opener

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Sebastian Cancelliere during a Glasgow Warriors training session at Scotstoun Stadium, on September 11, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The 30-year-old has become one of Glasgow’s most consistent performers since making his debut against the Italian outfit in October 2021, and is relishing the prospect of a first pre-season hit out at Scotstoun this weekend.

“I’m really excited,” Cancelliere told glasgowwarriors.org.

“We’re looking forward to what’s going to be a good test as a group. It’s been a long time since we last played together, and it’s been a tough pre-season. We’ve trained really well and really hard though, and it’ll be a good challenge for us.

“There will no doubt be things we need to work on, but we’re all looking forward to running out there this weekend.”

With 16 players currently on international duty at the Rugby World Cup, it’s a Glasgow Warriors squad filled with newer faces that has been preparing for action in front of the Warrior Nation this weekend.

There’s an exciting blend of new talent throughout the playing group, with Cancelliere highlighting a trio of his back-three colleagues as ones to watch ahead of Saturday night’s encounter.

“All of the newer faces in pre-season have really shown up well so far, it’s been good to see,” said the winger.

“I know Facundo [Cordero] already from both Argentina and from the end of last season, and I’ve been really impressed with Luca [Bardelli] and Ollie Horne since they’ve come in to train with us from Ayrshire Bulls.

“Ollie has that traditional Aussie style of play and he’s got a great skillset, so I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”

The visit of Zebre Parma to Scotstoun marks the latest milestone in Glasgow’s preparations for the new campaign, as Franco Smith’s men look to improve upon a highly impressive 2022/23 season.

With pre-season in full swing and the start of the BKT United Rugby Championship just under a month away, Cancelliere is confident that the work being done day in, day out at Scotstoun will pay dividends come the kick-off of the new season.

“To be honest, we’re used to it now!” laughed the winger when asked about the gruelling sessions administered by Smith and his coaching team.

“This is our second pre-season with Franco, so we knew what to expect this summer! We know what the coaches want from us and we know that if we work hard, we’ll get the best out of ourselves as a group.

“Everyone knows that it’s going to be hard, and the fact that we’re rising to the challenge is a good thing.

“I’m really looking forward to playing again. To pull on the Glasgow jersey again will be special, because I love playing at Scotstoun and in front of our supporters. It’ll be a fun game, and I’ll get to play against a few of my friends from Argentina too, so it’ll be a good night!”